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, a K R A L 0 L O METHOD OF OPERATING CIRCUITS IN TELEMETER SYSTEMS.

No. 327,657.. Patented Oct. 6, 1885.

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0. L. CLARKE.

METHOD OF OPERATINGGIROUITS IN TELEMETEB. SYSTEMS.

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UNITED STATES CHARLES L. CLARKE,

PATENT EEicE.

OF NEV YORK, N. Y.

METHOD OF OPERATING CIRCUITS IN TELEMETER SYSTEMS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 327,657, dated October 6, 1385.

Serial No. 141,027. (No inorhl.)

T0 aZZ whom it may concern;

Be it known that 1, CHARLES L. CLARKE, a citizen of the United States, residingin New York, in the county and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Methods of Operating Electric Gireuits, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to the method of operating circuits and apparatus of a class especially suited to the requirements of electric meters or telemeters, but also applicable to other purposes.

The object of the invention is to provide a method of controlling the connections of electric circuits in su eh a manner that electricallyoperated devices may be actuated in any required sequence, the battery-power applied in an economical and eii'ective manner, and the points through which the circuit-connections are completed may be relieved from the liability of becoming corroded by the formationof arcs extending from one point to an other.

In carrying out the invention the apparatus is organized in such a manner that the connections of the circuits are first completed at one point, and a shunt-circuit then automatically completed around that point. The circuit through the first-named point is then interrupted, the electrically-operated devices are operated by the current transmitted, and finally the circuit is temporarily interrupted at a third point, and thereby causing the shunt circuit to be interrupted before the circuit is again closed at the third point.

Referring to the drawings, Figure l is a diagram illustrating the organization of circuits and apparatus adapted to carry out this invention in connection with a telemeter system. This figure also illustrates a method of applying a signaling-bell to the apparatus. Fig. 2 illustrates amodification in the organization of the apparatus as adapted to carry out this methed.

Referring to Fig. 1, 0 represents a circuitclosing arm, which is carried upon a shaft, 2), and is designed to be impelled in one direction or the other under the influence of any required force'such, for instance, as the variations in temperature, pressure, light, electrical force, 820. Upon the arm 0 two circuitclosing points, 0 c, are carried. The points 0 are designed to impinge against corresponding points, 0 0 which are respectively carried upon contact-arms O and 0 located upon the L respective sides of the arm 0 and attached to the arbor of the wheel A. It is designed that when the arm 0 is moved in one direction it shall complete a given electric circuit, and when in the opposite direction a second elec tric circuit, and that the circuit thus formed shall be automatically interrupted. For this purpose a conductor, 1, leading from the earth at E, is connected with the shaft or arbor 1/, While two conductors, 2 and 3, are respectively placed in connection with the contact-arms O and O by means of contact-brushes d and (1, respectively. For this purpose the several arms 0, O, and G are insulated from each other. The conductor 2 leads through the coils of an electromagnet, F, to a main line, L, leading to a distant station. In like manner the conductor 8 leads through the coils of an eleetromagnet, F to a second main line, L The electro-magnet F is provided with an armature, f, carried upon a lever, f. This lever also carries a contact-point, h, which is designed to be placed in contact with a spring, h when the lever is moved into its forward position by reason of the vitalization of the electromagnet F. The lever itself is connected by a conductor, 7, with the con ductor 1, leading to the earth, and the spring is connected with the conductor 2. When, therefore, the point h is brought into contact with the spring h a shunt-circuit is closed around the points 0 and 0 through the conductor 7, armatureleverf and spring If.

A pawl, k, is carried upon the lever f,and this pawl engages the teeth of a wheel, A, when the lever is moved into its forward position. The axis of the wheel A carries the two eontact-arms O and C and the movement of the wheel in one direction or the other causes the arm to move in like manner. The pawl is so applied, however, that such a movement of the arms and wheel will occur alter the shunt-circuit above described has been completed. The operation therefore, when the electro-magnet F is vitalized, is to complete the connections of the shunt-circuit, and subsequently to move the contact-arms forward, thereby interrupting the connection between the points which were first brought into contact.

The electro-magnet F is in like manner pro vided with an armature, f carried upon a lever, f, and the lever f is connected by a conductor, 8, with the conductor 1. A contact-point, h is carried upon this lever, and is applied to aspring, h, connected with the conductor 3. A driving-pawl, k is also carried upon the lever f", and applied to the wheel A, for the purpose of moving it in the direction opposite to that in which it is driven by the action of the pawl 70.

The main line L leads, at the distant station, through the coils of an electro-magnet, M, to a conductor, 4, and this conductor is connected through a conductor, 6, including the coils of an electro-magnet, G, with a circuit-interrupting device, 9. This device, however, normally completes the circuit-connections through a spring carrying a contactpoint, 9", carried upon the device 9 to a contact-point, 9 upon which the spring rests. A conductor, 9, leads from the point to one pole of a battery,O, and the remaining pole of this battery is connected by a conductor, 10, with the earth at E. Vhen, therefore, the circuit of the main line L is completed by the operation of the circuit-closing arms Gand G, a current from the battery will cause the electro-magnet F to be vitalized and the shunt-circuit to be completed at the point h. The electromagnet M will also be vitalized, and also the electro-magnet G. The latter magnet, however, is preferably so constructed that it will respond more slowly than the electro-magnets F and M. After, therefore, the

shunt-circuit has been completed around the points cand c, and the point 0 has been moved away from the point 0, and after the electromagnet M has caused its armature-lever to be actuated, the armature of the electro-magnet G will respond, and its lever will strike against one arm of the interrupting device 9. The point 9* will thereby be raised from the point y, and the circuit of the battery 0 will be thus interrupted, and both electro-magnets M and F, as well as the electromagnet G, will be demagnetized.

The yielding spring, carrying the contact point g is preferably employed, in connection with the interrupter, for the purpose of obviating a jarring or vibrating of the contact,such as might otherwise be made.

Upon the arn'iature-lever P there is carried a driving-pawl, p", which is designed to en gage the teeth of the wheel XV and move it in adirection corresponding to the movement of the arm C of the transmitter. Upon the shaft a there is carried an arm or index, N, which is thus driven forward a distance corresponding to one tooth of the wheel WV each time the arm 0 makes contact with the arm 0.

The electro-magnet M" is provided with an armature, p carried upon a lever, P, similar to the armature and lever p and P. Likewise the lever P carries a pawl, 12", applied to the wheel NV, and serving, when the electromagnet M is vitalized, to impel the wheel in the opposite direction. A conductor, 5, leads from the conductor 6, through the coils ot'the electro-magnet M to the main line L.

It will be evident, without further description, that when the arm 0 moves toward the arm G, and the circuit of the main line L is completed, precisely the same operation will occur as described with reference to the electro -magnet F and main line L, the electro magnets F and M being vitalized, and subsequently the electro-magnet G. In this manner the wheel V and the index N will be driven in one direction or the other, accordingly as the arm 0 moves in one direction or the opposite, and the various devices having been operated the circuit will be interrupted at the point 9 It may here be observed that owing to the delicacy of the contact which is required at the points 0, c, and 0 it is necessary that the circuit be interrupted at some point other than at these contacts. For this reason the shunt-circuits around the points are employed for the purpose of permitting the contactpoint e or e to be removed from the point 0 while the main line connections are still completed; and for the purpose of further protecting the points h and h" the interrupting device 9 is employed, and this device may be constructed with a strong heavy contact, such as is not liable to become corroded.

It is desirable that the device at the receiving-station be provided with means for automatically giving an alarm when the index has been revolved to a predetermined point which has been chosen indicative of the limit of the force which it is designed that the telemeter shall register. For this purpose a battery, 0, is employed, having one pole connected by means of a conductor, 11, with the index-arm N, and its other pole connected by means of a conductor, 12, through a signaling device, Q, of any well-known construction, and by means of a conductor, 13, with a contactbrush, q, applied to the hub of an arm, a, applied to the index-arm N. The index-arm N carries a contact-point, a, and the arm n carries a similar point, a. The two arms are insulated from each other, and the one, a, may be placed in any desired position, and when the arm N is moved the arm it remains stationary. \Vhen, however, the arm Nhas been moved through a predetern'iined dis tance it carries the point a into contact with the point a, thereby completing the circuitconnections of the battery 0 and causing the bell or signaling apparatus Q to be actuated.

It may sometimes happen that the strength of the battery 0 becomes so .much diminished that it will not serve to cause the electromagnets in the series to perform their several functions, so that the circuit having been completed itis not againinterrupted. Should, therefore, the apparatus remain in this condition the battery would be upon the closed circuit and its strength would be rapidly diminished. For the purpose of giving an alarm, should such a state of affairs exist, a conductor, 14, leads from the conductor 11 to the armature-lever P, and a contact-point, q", is applied to one arm of this lever. This stop is connected by means of conductors 16 and 17 with the brush q, so that when the electro magnet M is vitalized and the armature-lever P moved into its forward position, the circuit of the battery will be completed through the conductors 11 and ll, the armature-lever 1?,the conductors 16 and 17 and 13, to the signaling device Q. then through the conductor 12 back to the battery. So long, therefore, as the armaturelever P remains in its forward position the bell will sound the alarm.

In like manner a conductor, 15, connects the conductor 11 with the armaturedever l? and a contactstop, applied to this lever, and this stop is connected by conductors 18 and 17 with the brush q. \Vhen, therefore, the armature-lever is in its forward position, the circuit of the battery will be completed through the conductors 11 and 15, armature-lever I, and conductors 18 and 17, to the conductor 13, and thence in the same manner as already described with reference to thelever P. Then, however, the strength of the battery 0 is sufficient to cause the several eleetro-magnets to operate in a normal manner, the duration of the time when either armature-lever P or I? is against its stop is insufficient to cause the bell Q to respond.

In Fig. 2 a modification of the invention is illustrated, in which the circuit of the battery is normally completed through artificial resistances which are sufficient to prevent the passage of a current of the strength required to actuate the currents of any circuit across the point 0 when these points are separated.

The organization of the transmitting portion of the device is essentially the same as that al ready described with reference to Fig. 1, corresponding parts being indicated by corre sponding letters of reference. From the contact-spring d, however, a conductor, 19, leads to the conductor 1, which is connected with the arm 0. In this conductor there is included an adjustable artificial resistance, It.

In like manner a conductor, 20, leads from the brush (1 to the conductor 1, and includes an adjustable artificial resistance It". The circuits through these two resistances constitute permanent shunts about the contactpoints c c I but the resistance contained in each is sufficient to prevent thepassage of a current of sut'ficient strength to actuate either the electromagnet F or F or the electromagnet M, M and G WVhen, however, one of the points, 0, is in contact with the corresponding point, e or 0 then the several electro-magnets will perform the same functions as in the arrangement shown in Fig. 1. At the separation of the point e or 0 from the corresponding point, 0, any electrical discharge which might possibly occur at that point will be prevented by the presence of the shunteircuit through the artificial resistance,and all possibility or corrosion of the parts is thus precluded.

At the receivingstation the apparatus is essentially the same as described with reference to Fig. 1, with the exception, however, that the device shown in Fig. 1 for illustrating a method of giving an automatic signal when the index has reached a given point is here omitted and a modified form of device for indicating a failure of the instruments to operate properly is illustrated. In this instance two signaling devices, Q and Q, are illustrated, and these devices are employed for giving an alarm when the main-line circuit is permanently interrupted. For this purpose an electro-magnet, G, is included in the conductor L and likewise an electromagnet, G, in the conductor L. These electro-magnets are respectively provided with armature-levers t" and 11 respectively, which respond to currents of the strength traversing the main line through the resistances R and It", respectively. Each lever is provided with a back contact-stop, as shown at t and '6, respectively, and these steps are connected with one pole of a battery, 0 and 0 respectively. The remaining poles of these batteries are connected through suitable signaling or indicating devices of any required character, as shown at Q and Q respectively, with the armature-levers t" and t", respectively. Normally,therefore,the circuits of the batteries 0 and 0 are interrupted; but when either magnet is demagnetized its lever will fall against its back contact-stop and the corresponding signaling device will be actuated. Should, however, the circuit of either main line be permanently broken-as, for instance, by the operation of the interrupting device both signaling devices Q and Q will in this instance, be actuated. \Vhen, however, the circuit of either line is interrupted independently of the other, the one bell alone will be actuated.

It will be understood that whenever either circuit-breaker is operated to open the corre' sponding circuit during the normal operation of the instruments, the alarmcircuit will be completed; but the time during which it is completed will be so short that the alarm will not have time to respond.

I claim as my invention- 1. The hereinbefore-described method of controlling the connections of electric circuits for operating one electrical instrument correlatively with the operation of another, which consists in completinga circuitconnection at one point, thereby causing the connections ofashunt-circuit to be automatically completed ata second point around thefirst-named point,interrupting the eircuitthrough thefirstnamed point, temporarily interrupting the circuit at a third point, and causing the con nections of the circuit to be interrupted at the second point before it is again closed at the third point.

2. The hereinbefore-described method of controlling the connections of an electric circuit for operating one electrical instrument correlatively with the movements of another, which consists in completing the connections of the same at one point, thereby automatically causing a circuit to be established around that point at a second point, then interrupting the connections at the first-named point, temporarily interrupting the connections at a third point, and subsequently interrupting the circuit at the second point.

3. The hereinbefore-described method of controlling the cireuit-coimections of a bat tery for the purpose of operating one instrument correlatively with the movements of another, which consists in completing a circuit for the battery at a given point, subsequently causing a second circuit to be automatically completed around that point, interrupting the first-named circuit, and finally interrupting the second circuit at a third point.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name this 19th day of A ngust, A. D. 1884.

CHARLES L. CLARKE.

Witnesses:

DANL. W. EnGEooMB, CHARLES. A. TERRY. 

